In the Season 24 "SVU" fall finale episode, "And A Trauma In A Pear Tree," Benson confesses her feelings about Stabler to Rollins, who just married her former partner Carisi. Oh, my God, no!" Now, Benson is the one in control. In court, Stabler appears surprised to see his daughter plead guilty and cooperate with the judge to get the help she needs. No, Im better. For the past decade, Stabler was abroad, first working on private security and then joining a terrorism task force. The SVU episode ended when the NYPD Intelligence took over the case from the SVU team, leading right into the first Organized Crime episode. My old partner, hed know what to do, she says, a rare reference at this point to Stabler. At least, Benson told Stabler she wasn't seeing anyone when he not so subtly asked her during December's "SVU" and "Organized Crime" crossover. Turns out, Kathy was injured in a car bombing, as she and Stabler were in town to see Benson receive an award. In the OC Season One finale, Angela asks her attorney to find out exactly who Richard was talking about, and later learns that people believe Richard was referring to Benson. Cragen then informs Benson and Stabler that Porter and the suspect are off the hook since the situation is out of their hands. Rook tells Stabler he wants to conduct a little experiment to see how far hell go to save Benson. Barba mentions Benson hasnt let go that he defended Wheatley and adds he was trying to protect her by doing that. he shouts as he approaches her on the ground. Stabler slyly jumps in and responds, Nah, Im good thanks. (Dont sleep on the smirk Stabler gives Benson as he walks away.). Benson is taken for questioning by IAB after evidence makes her the cases prime suspect, and she ends up in jail unless someone can post her $250,000 bail. Then she recalls how he showed up drugged at her apartment in the middle of the night while Noah was there asleep. She relays the message from the grounds to Reggie, who tells Stabler: She wants to know why you dont tell her how you feel.. Thats what I thought, he replies. Now it's cannon that Stabler's wife was always the "boundary" preventing either Benson or Stabler from admitting they both had romantic feelings for the other. After the conversation, Bernie asks Benson not to tell Stabler she visited his daughter. "I know," Stabler said. (We will not speak about Benson asking to see Stabler in Episode Seven and being clocked by Beck with the words Maybe I can help you. Well that makes two of us, Benson says. Where Should Benson & Stabler Go From Here Stabler appears shortly after to make sure shes OK and to arrest him. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Youre his partner. In this episode, Stabler finally meets Bensons son, Noah, during a coincidental run-in on Mothers Day. Later on, Benson and Stabler clash again during a heated discussion about older women having children. Whatever happened, were going to go, and were going to bring him home, Benson says. The mid-season finale came Or the courts. Once Stabler gets to the hospital and sees Kathy and the baby, Kathy says that Stabler is the little ones father. Benson points out theyve been partners for seven years longer than anybody else there. Stabler refuses to press the button when Rook asks him to, so Rook presses the button again, eliciting more screams. The line is especially meaningful because all Benson wanted for years was a family, especially a child of her own, and no one knew that more than Stabler. Cragen's suspicions about Stabler and Benson's bond are right. The final episode of the unofficial holy trinity titled Web leads Stabler to visit Benson in Computer Crimes for her help on a case, and sets the stage for these two to eventually find their way back to each other. Well you are going through a divorce and you do have four children so I guess you are, Benson responds with a smile. Benson dresses up and invites Porter over to her apartment, saying she wants to cook for him after he suggests they go out. The two agree to go get some food, and Stabler asks whos buying. Stabler rushes over to Benson and turns her over. "Half my genes are drunk, and the other half are violent and cruel," Benson says, referring to her mother, who had an alcohol dependency, and her father, who raped her mother. They didnt see me as prime parent material. Stabler responds, Theyre wrong.. Lewis continues to talk about that old partner of hers and says, It mustve been tough for you all those long nights alone in the car.. - April 2, 2021 08:33 am EDT. I actually watch her back and not her backside, Fin responds. "Because what if it doesn't work out?" Elliot, Benson begins as she steps closer to him. Don't forget, Gitano is still on the loose, and Stabler and Benson eventually enter a facility without backup in search of Gitano and the remaining missing kid. The SVU team found that Stabler was the original target and it all may have been connected to the men Stabler was in New York to testify against. Benson rarely brings up Stabler during his Law & Order hiatus, so this moment was heart-wrenching for Bensler fans everywhere. With the launch of Law & Order: Organized Crime, Stabler returns to NYC to see Benson as she receives an important award. Stabler assumed that conversation was private, and Benson informs him that it's not a secret.. After Eli runs through what happened, Benson springs into action and assures him shell handle this. Benson and Rollins had an adventure and conversation to remember during a visit to the suburbs. Your call. Benson chooses to take Calvins mom in for questioning. ", Later in the episode, before returning to Italy, Leonetti tells Stabler: "Whoever it is youre in love with, shes a lucky woman.". ", "Stabler," Rollins says. Cragen tells Stabler hes running away from himself and that he paired him up with Blaine so he can get a taste of what he is like to work with. The Milgram nickname is important as its a reference to psychologist Stanley Milgram, who conducted shock experiments to test how far someone would go to follow instructions, despite the moral feeling of his or her conscience. While Stabler isnt in this episode, he is mentioned during one of the most terrifying moments of Bensons life. Stabler spots them on the street as hes picking out flowers for his mom. Stabler meets up with Benson in a park on a snowy day, and the meetup also marks the first time Stabler sees Noah, who's sledding nearby. What about me? Benson whispers. Kathy was in the car when the bomb went off, and she later died of her injuries. Stabler asks Benson if she recognizes the victim who had her card and says hell handle finding out why the victim had it, before tucking her in on the couch and asking if she has anyone taking care of her. I'm always with you," Benson says to Stabler. Benson and Stabler share another long stare in the car in what turns out to be their last scene together of the season. Then Stabler steps inside, and the two sip from the same glass of orange juice before heading out. In the premiere episode of Season 13, Benson learns the news that Stabler put his papers in from Cragen not from Stabler himself. I'm not a civilian," she replies. And when this son of a b---- it out of the picture, Im going to need a new partner, she adds. In a blow to Stabler and his family, the judge declares a mistrial, and Wheatley is remanded. One morning, Stabler shows up at Benson's apartment, saying he was "in the neighborhood" and thought he'd give her a ride to work. On SVU, viewers finally see Benson and Stabler together for the first time since last seasons finale. "Olivia! I can hear it in your voice. That moment when yet another person clocks you about the love of your life. Swing shows Bensons undying loyalty and concern, both professionally and personally, for her partner after Stablers daughter Kathleen (Allison Siko) gets arrested. He says Benson was never hurt by shocks and that her screams were prerecorded. During a moment of reflection at home before the meeting, Stabler sits outside in the back garden and leaves Benson a voicemail. The decadeslong partnership between "Law & Order: SVU" star Mariska Hargitays Olivia Benson and "Law & Order: Organized Crime" star Christopher Meloni's Elliot Stabler has been deemed by many fans the longest slow burn in television history. Probably talking to Elliot the guy from her dreams, the woman from the hospital replies. Stabler says he couldnt, and at this point, the others in the room take notice of their bickering. Stabler shows up to the ceremony late since he was looking at apartments in New York City, which is a subtle confirmation and assurance to Benson hes staying. Were familiar with Jelliot, but this episode gives us a little of Jelivia, and also shows Benson wants Stabler to come home from his undercover job as much as the rest of his family does. After Stabler learns this, he starts lashing out, mostly at Benson as he stews in his emotions over the decision he made. Its in your blood, Stabler replies. Cragen tells her to go home, and Benson storms into the locker room, where Stabler finds her and confronts her about her behavior. Well, guess what else changed for Benson in the past year? Did you really expect me to cause your death? In that moment, Stabler snaps back to reality and realizes what hes said and who else is in the room and adds, I love all of you.. Cragen wont let Stabler stake out Central Park alone as part of their newest case. She quickly hangs up before she can say anything to Stabler when people from the environmental group approach and ask whom shes talking to. Benson offers to take Kathy to a doctors appointment after Stabler is pulled out of town for their current case. Stabler again tries to spend time with them both by asking Benson if he can take them to lunch. Stabler does not yet realize that it was Ed Tucker yes, that Ed Tucker from IAB but Benson does tell him Ed is dead. Who knew a small letter could hold so much power? If I heard your voice, I wouldn't be able to leave.". You mean someone at work? the priest asks, before their session is cut. When love warps into hate, theres nothing you wont do, Stabler responds, before telling her he signed the divorce papers. I work all hours. And then Im not sure what happened. "And with her gone it's like there's nothing but possibility, which is paralyzing," Benson says while refilling her cup of wine. Viewers are also treated to seeing Benson and Stabler interrogate a suspect together, not missing a beat just like old times. They confirmed they didn't speak for 10 years after Stabler's exit, but Kathy said she initially didn't believe Elliot when he told her that. And Mariska (Hargitay) and I kind of laughed about it, too. Months later, former SVU showrunner Leight tweeted that the Season 24 premiere was supposed to pick up with Benson and Stabler sharing a dance alone at the event, but in real life, Hargitay had suffered a broken ankle and Meloni had grown out a beard to go with his undercover arc to kick of OC Season Two. Benson realizes Millfield, the New Jersey captain, is the one who tipped the feds off to her and angrily confronts her about it. He requests she call him the next time Simon gets in touch. In the words of Stabler, Benson continues playing mom for a boy named Calvin (Charlie Tahan) whom she found during a case and took in after his mom disappeared. Benson tells Rollins she talked to Stabler before he went back undercover, and he promised her he didnt know the suspect was being put in witness protection. At the last minute, he spins around and pulls Benson into a hug. When Benson eventually turns around, she stares into Stabler's eyes and appears to lean in for a kiss. However I dont know, I know what I was thinking when I said the words that I said onscreen I like that it can be read in number of ways, he said. Stabler began talking about Rome as if he expected the relationship between himself and Benson to thaw suddenly, but Benson made it clear that she couldn't do that. He asks for her help with Kathleen. The woman next to her asks who Elliot is since shes apparently been mumbling the name Elliot all night. I didnt say anything else did I? Benson asks. Their meeting ends in an argument, and Stablers attempt at getting his mothers help is unsuccessful. Nice meeting you, Stabler tells Moss as he brushes past Olivia. While hallucinating, she imagined he was first responder who helped her. Law & Order: SVU Finale: Ral Esparza on Benson, Barba and. Richard Wheatley becomes the unofficial Benson and Stabler relationship hero among the fans at the end of this episode, when he (basically) makes it canon that Benson is the one true love of Stablers life. Benson, clearly caught off guard, emotionally says she needs to think it over and asks if she can get back to him. Benson asks Stabler why he was so jumpy the other night when she went to his building to talk about the letter. Protelliot again emerges, grabbing Stuckey by the throat and saying, You are an obnoxious little jackhole.. Benson puts her weapon down as Stabler walks up behind her with his gun drawn and tells Simon to drop his weapon while Benson begs him not to shoot. A letter that you didnt even write. I can't be looking over my shoulder making sure you're OK," he says after Benson points out she couldn't shoot Gitano since he was using the child as shield. Then Benson reaches out and rests her hand on Stablers face and whispers, I mean, before Eddie Wagner takes over, and Elliot Stabler is nowhere to be found, referring to his undercover name. Organized Crime has dropped many references to Benson throughout the series, including in the Season Two premiere. (Shes not wrong! Hes like a son to me. Theres someone else another woman whos the one true love of his life., He further taunts Angela and says, Every time he was looking into your pretty brown eyes, touching your face or wherever else he was touching you Im willing to wager he was thinking about her.. Viewers know this was not the case, as he only touched her to prevent her from falling down the stairs. You still want him. Stabler joins Benson in her car after she drops Noah off at school and brings her coffee (just like old times). Stabler starts working with another detective, Lucius Blaine (Anthony Anderson). After staging a fake fight with Bell, followed by another fake fight with Benson, in the lobby of One Police Plaza where other cops would see, Benson goes to the OC office to debrief with Bell and Stabler. Kathleen defies advice to seek psychiatric help and is instead detained. Is that a flower in your cup? he says, before Benson responds with a smile and says its tea, hinting again at her changed drinking habits since she returned from being undercover. Hes my brother, Benson whispers, before Stabler reminds her she doesnt even know the guy.. Caught off guard, Stabler at first seemed a bit conciliatory, then got twitchy, then hid behind the "talk to my superior officer" mode when Benson stepped up to let One of the smugglers finds Bensons jacket, and then she emerges from the bathroom without her shirt. Its contents had not been revealed, so fans were Pretending be a sex worker, Benson famously says, Are you ready for me Daddy? And once she realizes they have company, she adds, Oh, didnt know we were having a party. "You were the single most important person in my life, and you just disappeared," Benson said. Benson notices Stabler isnt in the best place mentally, especially when he says, Its kind of nice not to be me for a while, about being undercover. Later, Benson and the SVU squad help Stablers team infiltrate a party with the young girls and the Albanians. Benson brushes it off and emphasizes that his kids are worried about him amid his recent erratic behavior. In later seasons, Rollins ends up in a romantic relationship with her former partner and ADA Dominick Sonny Carisi (Peter Scanavino). Benson says she doesnt need help from them. The two also meet up at night ahead of a raid, and Stabler gives her his word that hes got her back. Maybe I should call him. Bensons home sick, and when she opens the door, Stabler says, You look terrible. She responds, Stop with the sweet talk. In Perverted, Stabler goes to very extreme and personal lengths to save Benson, whos being framed for murder. Cragen tells Stabler he may have another chance and that Benson is back (finally). Since Stabler walked out the precinct door, the show reinvented itself with a renewed focus on Benson who, no longer shackled to her work spouse, had the space Benson says during one of their heated, very close face-to-face arguments about the case. Stablers loyalty to his partner is quite literally put to the test in Authority after an engineer named Merritt Rook (played by the legendary Robin Williams) abducts Benson. During questioning, Benson snaps and hits the suspect before pushing him to the ground and repeatedly kicking him. Well, some people arent as blessed as you are, she responds. While talking to her mom a year ago about Carisi, that Rollins' mom suggested the two of them get a hotel room to get it out of their systems. Some are tighter than married couples.. Nobody else was responsible for it but me," he says. Benson continues to calm Stabler at the hospital, including when the doctor talks to him about Eli. God knows how Olivia put up with you for so long, Cragen says to him. In this episode, the lives of the women Stabler loves the most end up on the line when Benson and a very pregnant Kathy end up in a car accident after Benson offers to take Kathy to a doctors appointment. Theres nobody who knows these characters better than she and I. Benson strategically alleviates the situation by manipulating Stuckey into thinking she doesn't like Stabler. Rook continues to repeatedly ask Stabler to press the button. Later on, Stabler drives Benson home and offers to walk her inside. TFW someone else says they're Stabler's partner. Some fans wondered if this scene was setting up a love triangle for Benson with Barba and Stabler. "So this is about the death of a loved one?" Nothing says I love you quite like spilling those three words out in the middle of an intervention with all your kids present, and thats just what Stabler does in episode four of OC. Meloni told TODAY in February that this scene, which he also wrote, was his favorite one hes filmed with Hargitay since his return in April 2021. Stabler goes to New Jersey, where viewers are introduced to his mom, Bernadette Bernie Stabler (Ellen Burstyn), for the first time. Benson teams up with Cragen for most of this episode to work the case of a boy whos been missing since 1980. The SVU Season 23 winter finale was all about Kathy Stablers murder trial, and it was also really the first time Benson called out Stabler for being so self-absorbed since his return to her life. He turns back and walks up to Benson and responds, "Kathy left me.". Im not sure I know, Stabler responds. Shes good like that.. The most honest conversation viewers witnessed to date about why Stabler left happens in a hospital waiting area after both Stabler and Benson visited Kathy. As he gets on, he tells Benson, You have my number. Then Stabler crashes the scene and says, Yeah, we all do. (Jelliot!). After the admission, Stabler stumbles out of the chair across the floor toward Benson, who holds Stabler up as he wraps his arms around her. It is her death that inspires Stabler to take a new job with the NYPD that keeps him in the Big Apple. "All you can do is love your kids." "You're family," Stabler responds, while searching her kitchen for sugar. In the middle of the night, 4:47 a.m. to be exact, an already awake Stabler gets a text from Benson telling him to meet her downstairs, where shes sitting on his porch with a cup of coffee for him and tea for herself. That line effectively stops her in her tracks. While Benson is surveilling the Albanian crew with Stabler and Bell, she notices slight changes in Stabler when he talks about Flutura (Lolita Davidovich), the wife of the drug crews main man. She also has a telling reaction when Fin says Phoebe was trying to get in touch with Stabler to hook him up with her sister. Benson responds with a big oh. She does tell Fin that at least this time Stabler gave her a heads-up not to worry about him. In the session, Stabler starts off by saying, "I don't like endings," in response to the therapist's question from their previous meeting about why Stabler wanted to go back to work. During a session with her therapist, Peter Lindstrom (Bill Irwin), Benson says that while her son is doing well and her job is great, shes hasnt been happy for about a year. The moment Stabler's mom confused his partner for his wife. Benson, whos clearly still struggling with the unexpected return of Stabler after all this time, pulls away and leaves. Stabler first gave Benson the letter during his big return to the franchise on April 1, shortly after his wife had died. He suggests Stabler take someone along. Stabler also shields Benson from gunfire and takes down the shooter as they eventually rescue the missing girl. Why would you ask me that? Stabler responds. Any other major changes you want to let me in on? he asks. You and this job are about the only things Ive got anymore, Stabler replies. Later on at the airport, the suspect, Manuel Rojas (Jose Yenque), realizes Benson is a cop and tells her to come with him or else hell start shooting people. she says as the two rest their foreheads together. Stabler tells Benson what she means to him (spoiler alert: the world) in a scene between the two during the second episode of Organized Crime.. Many fans have followed Benson's life and career for nearly 25 seasons, but one thing that's always remained a mystery: Whether she's ever had romantic feelings for Stabler. Benson later pops up while Stabler is trying to talk to a witness and says Cragen called her to be Stablers handler.. While SVU is called off the case, Benson continues to help Stabler as he gets settled back into Manhattan detective work as he tries to find Kathys killer. Still, they haven't shared a kiss (yet). Stabler tells her someone drugged him, and he denies needing to go to a hospital as he puts his arm around her for support as she leads him into her apartment. Cinema is Benson and Stabler having an entire conversation with their eyes. Benson tells Fin that she hasnt heard from Stabler in a few months and that hes been off the grid working. Its just its just too complicated.. Although Stabler will be busy on his own show, Stabler is expected to appear on more SVU episodes. But things clearly arent working out between Stabler and his new partner, since Stabler punches Blaine in the middle of the squad room. They pull up to the phone Eli had said he was by but there's no sign of him. One of the long-running mysteries of SVU for the past decade was why Stabler never said goodbye to Benson. Love affairs? It's a little more general," Stabler responds. Porter catches up with Benson as he waits for the elevator. Shut up and drive., During a private moment at the end of the episode, Benson tells Stabler she had recently explored adoption, but she was turned down by the agency. I didnt realize it came out so sexy, she said. It turns out that the footage of Stabler and Benson suddenly noticing each other across a crime scene is because when Benson arrived at the crime scene to kick And then he delivers a line that continues to haunt fans until this day: I think if I talked to you about how Sadly, Benson cuts him off at this point, so viewers still dont know how Stabler was about to finish that thought. After seeing an empty bottle, shot glasses and Stabler making breakfast as Leonetti walks in to the kitchen, it's clear the two didn't sleep together since Leonetti asks Stabler if he was comfortable on the couch. Why Did Elliot Stabler Leave Law & Order: SVU? - Parade judge timothy kenny political affiliation. Mariska Hargitay, Chris Meloni talk Benson and Stablers feelings, the longest slow burn in television history, came up with the single most important line herself, Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni reunite for new episode of SVU, his supervisor, Sgt. Florida" shows the amount of trust Stabler has in Benson. Fin tells Elliot that Benson has a kid now, and Stabler quickly responds, A son? Cragen throws her out of interrogation and says that a 5-year-old couldve done a better job, to which Benson responds, Then go hire one.. It's worth noting that, at the end of this episode, Stabler finds out Angela was actually the one who ordered to take Kathy out, not Richard. Benson opens her door and reaches for Stabler across the hall. Since Porter and Benson were already close, Porter overhears Cragen on the phone telling Benson theyve located their latest suspect, whom Porter is somehow connected to. Cragen pulls Benson out of interrogation. And as for why Stabler abruptly left without telling Benson himself? Well, its not at risk. Grab onto us., I know youre all just trying to help, Stabler says. Stabler keeps telling her to shoot Gitano, and eventually says she can do "the right thing" in this moment since he says he did not when he chose to go to her after she got hurt instead of running after Ryan. The pretend arguments were part of setting a plan in motion for Stablers next undercover assignment with a group of dirty cops within the NYPD known as The Brotherhood.. Stabler says he knows Benson "wouldve taken the shot" if the sniper hadnt first, to which she responds, "No, I wouldnt have. Benson denies it before caving and asking, "Is it that obvious? At this point, Benson starts reciting back lines from the letter, that she has memorized, including that what Benson and Stabler were to each other was never real and they got in the way of each other being who and where they needed to be. During another heated exchange, Benson says Stablers current situation (a.k.a his divorce) is impairing his judgment and that he doesnt normally empathize with the suspect., Its not empathy, its outrage, Stabler responds. "Law & Order: SVU" fans got to hear three critical words that some have been waiting decades to hear said between former detective partners Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson. "I love you." The whole family was on hand for the intervention, including Benson (Mariska Hargitay). @lawandordertv / Twitter Kathleen may be sick, but youre the one with the problem, Benson tells him. In whose opinion? Stabler asks. Stabler later arranges to be in the restroom at the same time as Wheatley, who brings up Angelas testimony and says to Stabler, I was surprised to see Olivia in the gallery. "I wouldve done the same thing," Benson responds. At the same time, he sees Benson as she's raising her gun at Gitano, who has his arm wrapped around the other child. You might want to make sure Stablers children arent there. SVU helps investigate, and there are a few scenes laced with tension between Benson and Stabler, including Benson subduing a heated Stabler in the interrogation room and an argument between the two on the roof about it. Stabler tells Benson to go hide while he answers the door. Shes much more than a party planner, Benson says to Stabler. When youre ready to stop being betrayed by me, Ill be here, he concludes. "Because I knew that you would try to protect me," she says. Does Kathy know you mortgaged the house for me? Benson asks. (That parallel universe may soon be reality for these two since Stabler recently returned to Bensons life after a 10-year absence and confessed in a letter he wrote to her: In a parallel universe, it will always be you and I.), This episode is significant in the worst kind of way for Benson's and Stablers relationship since it ended up being Melonis last episode of SVU. (Thankfully, he returned to the Law & Order universe for Stablers spinoff, Law & Order: Organized Crime, in April 2021.). If you guessed the latter, you would be correct. Stabler also makes sure to get Benson back in bed before he leaves and jokes, Im getting my hazard pay coming to see you.. Lewis torments Benson throughout the entire premiere episode of Season 15, and moves her to a remote location and cuffs her to a bed. Youre all bottled up, Lewis says. Benson stays by Kathys side the entire time, including in the ambulance, where Kathy ends up giving birth to a baby boy. In this OC episode, Stabler kisses Angela Wheatley (Tamara Taylor), whos the wife of the suspect behind Kathys murder Richard Wheatley (Dylan McDermott). In later episodes, Lewis again puts Benson through even more horrific things, like a game of Russian Roulette, which results in his death. During Angelas testimony, which both the Stabler children and Benson witness, Angela reveals she kissed Stabler and that she was in love with him.